Migrant Pickpocketing Surges in Times Square, With Children Used as Decoys

Migrant Pickpocketing Surges in Times Square, With Children Used as Decoys

Edited by: TJVNews.com

Times Square, the iconic heart of New York City, has been grappling with a concerning surge in pickpocketing incidents, with reports revealing that crews of migrants, including children, are using elaborate tactics to steal from unsuspecting tourists, as was recently reported in the New York Post. The problem has escalated to the point where the NYPD has formed a dedicated squad to address the issue.

The Post report stated that according to NYPD data, pickpocketing complaints in the area stretching from Sixth to Eighth Avenues between West 42nd and West 49th Streets have skyrocketed by 222%, with 187 reported cases so far this year, compared to 58 during the same period in 2022. The rise in incidents has raised alarm among law enforcement officials and the tourism industry.

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell expressed his concern, emphasizing the negative impact these incidents could have on the city’s reputation. “You can’t have this,” Chell stated, noting that tourists who fall victim to pickpockets may return home with a negative impression of their New York experience, including the hassle of canceling credit cards, Post report added.

Many of the pickpockets arrested in Times Square have identified themselves as hailing from Central and South America, police told the Post. However, due to restrictions on law enforcement agencies seeking immigration status, it remains unclear whether they are among the approximately 110,000 illegal immigrants who have arrived in the city over the past year, according to the Post report.

Police Officer Joe Soldano, a leader in the Pickpocket Squad, revealed that some of the thieves employ children, even infants, to distract tourists while they carry out their thefts. The Post report also indicated that in one instance, the squad apprehended a mother who was pickpocketing while pushing her baby in a stroller, leading to a child services intervention.

“We had the baby back at the precinct and had to go the whole [child services] route,” Soldano told the Post.

Soldano detailed the tactics used by pickpockets, explaining that parents often steer their children toward tourists, prompting the child to engage in seemingly accidental physical contact with the victim while the parent accesses their pocket or bag, as was noted in the Post report.  Some pickpockets employ static props such as bags to conceal their actions, while others operate with brazen confidence, dipping into pockets without any cover.

In one recent case, Soldano collared a father who boosted a tourist’s wallet. “I grabbed him with the wallet in his hand . . . I apprehended him and the kid took off,” he said, as was reported by the Post.

Times Square’s frenetic atmosphere sometimes means that victims don’t immediately realize they’ve been robbed, complicating efforts to apprehend the culprits. Soldano noted that victims often don’t initially believe that plainclothes officers are indeed law enforcement, which can lead to challenging encounters.

Soldano added, “We’ve seen some guys [with] no prop on them at all just go into someone’s pocket. We watched one guy do three separate incidents. We were following him the whole time. He’s just diving into people’s bags,” according to the Post report.

NYPD Chief John Chell acknowledged the severity of the pickpocketing issue and revealed that the 13-member squad was established in April in response to the rising trend, the Post report said. While the problem remains a concern, Chell expressed optimism that their efforts are making a difference, albeit with continued vigilance required to keep the situation under control.

“In the beginning of the year, we saw just a tremendous influx of pickpockets just around Times Square,” Chell said, the Post reported. “It’s still out of control, but it’s getting better.”

The surge in pickpocketing incidents in Times Square serves as a reminder of the need for both law enforcement and the public to remain vigilant and take precautions in crowded areas. Additionally, it highlights the challenges faced by authorities in addressing such crimes when they involve children and when victims may not immediately realize they’ve been targeted.